THE DIARY OF
LLOYD DUNCAN EDWARDS
from the Trenches
World War 1

January to July 1918

This
is the diary of my grandfather Lloyd Duncan Edwards, Private
22995, 5th Bedfords, during the first 7 months of 1918
whilst he was in the trenches in France. He was a cook
and, although not exciting, this extract gives an idea
of what life was like. I have left in the pre-printed
information for each day as it was in the diary to highlight
the irony of the situation.

There
are days where, due to activity or omission, there are
no entries.

I
have translated the handwritten text, sometimes smudged,
to the best of my ability. If you consider that any of
the place names are incorrectly spelt or that there is
more information to go with this extract then please let
me know.

Very wet and windy. Still cooking along side the road. Fritz shelling
but going behind us. Had worried for lads?.

January
16th Wednesday

Wet day again. Boys gone up front line again. Jo and MJ relieved
me. Helped to pack up limbers with boys' loads. Went back to transport
lines at Fins.

January
17th Thursday

Wet
day. Had a wash and shave, feel something like normal. Had a steak
and some chips for my supper with our lads?

January
18th Friday & January 19th Saturday

Decent
day. Messed about cleaning cooker and doing odd jobs. Had to pack
up and got to Metz with cooker. Boys came out of line and got
here this morning. Made them tea and fried bacon. Had a few hours
sleep and then got up and got dinner on.

January
20th Sunday 2nd after Epiphany

Nice
day. Majority of boys can hardly walk. What a game. I had to go
to Fins (full pack) and cooked our captain some steak and chips,
and then back again to Metz. Found boys ready to go up the line
on fatigues. Rotten shame.

January
21st Monday

Nice
day. Usual routine.

January
22th Tuesday

Rather
warm. Boys went by train we marched with transport to Beaulencourt.
In lovely hut and a splendid cookhouse.

January
23rd Wednesday

Dull
day. Frank (Fritz) gone on leave, George and I left on our own,
terribly busy bags of work.

January
24th Thursday

Nice
day. Swamped out with work, still on our own, no help. Built oven.

Am
looking over the top for Fritz. Had to retire about 300 yards.
On outpost duty, made a funk hole.

March
25th Monday Annunciation B.V.M. Lady Day
& March 26th Tuesday
& March 27th Wednesday Hilary Law Sittings end Full Moon, 3.33
p.m.

Discovered
that we have left behind on our own, so made our way back to Albert.
Were picked up by the 7th Suffolk Regt. Had a lively time during
the evening when Fritz arrived. Dug in at night. Had to retire
in the morning, got mixed up with the 6th Essex, came out and
made my way back to Varrence to find the transport but found them
at Lealvillers.

March
28th Thursday Maundy Thursday

Met
E.B. again at Lealvillers.

March
29th FridayGood Friday

Spent
Good Friday in a field in Lealvillers.

March
30th Saturday Easter Eve

Moved
just out of the village and camped on the road side it poured
with rain all night.